Nipple carrying vent controlling ring



y 1957 Y. H. KURKJIAN NIPPLE CARRYING VENT CONTROLLING RING Filed Feb. '24, 1953 19 .5 ATTORNEY Patented July 2, 1957 NWPLE CARRYING VENT CONTROLLING RING Yervant H. Kurkjian, Clifton, N. 1., assignor to Knrk Products Co., Clifton, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 24, 1953, Serial No. 338,545

2 Claims. (Cl. 21511) This invention relates to nursing units.

One of the objects of this invention is the production of a simple and eflicient vent controlling means for a flexible vented flanged nipple, in the nature of a suitable vent controlling ring which prevents leakage through the vents of the nipple flange while nursing, and also automatically seals the vents when nursing is discontinued.

Another object of this invention is the production of a flexible ring having a vacuum air channel or chamber abutting the vented flexible flange of a flexible nipple, in a manner whereby a vacuum is built up in the channel while an infant is sucking upon the nipple to facilitate an even flow of fluid from a bottle through the nipple, and to automatically seal the vent of the flange of the nipple to prevent leakage when sucking is discontinued.

A further object of the invention is the production of a nursing nipple having a flexible vented flange, and a flexio'ie ring, the flange and ring having a vacuum area therebetween to facilitate the opening of the vents in the flange as a vacuum is created in the bottle to which the nipple is attached by sucking upon the nipple and to automatically seal said vents when sucking is discontinued.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear throughout the following specification and claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the neck of a bottle, and the nipple retaining cap, a nipple and vent controlling ring being shown in elevation;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, a portion of the nipple and vent controlling ring being shown in section;

Figure 3 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the vent controlling ring;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the bottle, cap, nipple and ring assembly, a different type of nipple being shown from that as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a further modified form of the invention;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a still further modified form of the invention;

Figure 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the nipple shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged top plan view of a further modified form of nipple;

Figure 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8 with the addition of a vent controlling ring also shown in section;

Figure 10 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of a further modified form showing a reversible vent controlling ring.

By referring to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that 119 designates a flexible or rubber nipple having an annular flexible flange 11 and a neck 9. This flange 11 is provided with a vent 14, and it should be understood that one or more vents may be provided in the flange 11 within the spirit of the invention. In the form shown in Figures 1 and 2, the nipple 10 is provided with an annular bead 12 arranged in spaced relation above the annular flange 11. The spacing of the bead 12 from the flange 11 provides an area therebetween in the nature of a channel for receiving a vent controlling or sealing ring 13, which ring is carried by the flange 11, as shown in Figure 2. The flexible flange 11 is provided with a suitable vent 14 preferably in the nature of an aperture. The vent, however, may be of any suitable type, and a plurality of vents may be provided, if desired, Within the spirit of the invention. Other vented areas 15 of the conventional type may be provided in the nipple under the flange 12 and adjacent the inner periphery of the ring 13, if desired, as shown in Figure 2, and such as are provided in the well-known Evenflow nipple.

The vent controlling ring 13 is preferably formed of flexible or semi-flexible rubber, plastic, or other suitable material. This ring 13 is provided preferably with a circumferential air passageway or annular channel 16 which overhangs the vent 14 to define a vacuum chamber between the ring 13 and the flange 11 communicating with the vent 14, when the ring 13 is placed upon the flange 11 and the nipple is secured upon the neck of the bottle 17, which is preferably of the wide-mouth type.

A rigid cap 18 having an enlarged aperture 19 through which the nipple extends is adjustably secured in any suitable manner to the open end of the bottle or container 17, preferably by being threaded thereon. The enlarged aperture 19 defines an inturned annular flange 20 which overhangs the ring 13 to clamp the ring 13 upon the flange 11, and the flange 11 upon the open end of the bottle 17.

The operation of the assembled elements which constitute a nursing unit, is as follows:

As an infant sucks on the nipple 10, a vacuum is builtup in the bottle 17 and in the vacuum chamber 16 of the ring 13, between the top of the flange 11 and the ring 13, through the medium of the vent 14. This vent 14 provides a communication between the interior of the bottle 17 and the chamber 16. As the infant sucks upon the nipple, the flange 11 will flex and admit air into the bottle through the vent 14 to permit fluid to pass out through the nipple into the mouth of the infant.

When the infant discontinues sucking, the flexible vent controlling ring 13 will immediately and automatically close over the top face of the flange 11 adjacent the edges of the flange 11, to seal the contacting area of the ring 13 with the flange 11, and thereby prevent leakage and flow of fluid through the nipple 10 while not in use. Because of the contacting superimposed relation of the ring and nipple flange, the area directly over the vent or vents in the nipple flange will not be contacted by the ring, but only the area surrounding the vent or vents which is radially spaced from the vents will be contacted as the cap is adjusted upon the bottle.

By considering Figure 2, it will be seen that the cap 18 firmly secures the flange 11 of the nipple 10 and ring 13 upon the bottle 17. The edges of the flange 11 and the ring 13 will be firmly sealed together by being clamped between the inturned flange 24) of the cap and the end of the bottle 17. The aperture 19 of the cap 18 which is of greater diameter than the diameter of the head 12 of the nipple 10 will permit the cap to easily drop over the nipple when assembling the unit, thereby avoiding the necessity for touching the nipple to force the nipple into the cap. This flange 2 0 is of a width to directly overhang the upper or outer edge of the wall of the bottle, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The inner edge of the flange 20 is in vertical alignment with the inner face of the wall of the bottle 17. Only the outer edges of the ring 13 and flange 11 are tightly clamped between the flange 20 and the end of the bottle 17 and the ring 13 and flange 11 both are flexible and extend inwardly away from the flange to provide a flexing action of the ring 13 and flange 11 inwardly of the clamping flange 20 of the cap.

In Figure 4 there is shown a modified form of the invention wherein anipple 21 is shown having an annular flange 22. The flange ZZis-provided with a vent 23 which communicates with a vacuum channel or chamber 24 formed in the lower face ofaflexible or semi-flexible vent controlling or sealing ring 25. The ring 25 is adapted to be carried by the flange 22 of the nipple, and when the unit is assembled, the ring 25 rests upon the top face of the flange 22. A cap 26 similar to the cap 18 adjustably secures the flange 22 of the nipple 2-1 and the ring 25 in clamped engagement upon the outer end of the bottle 27, ina manner similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2. The inturned flange 28 of the cap 26 directly overhangs the outer end of the wall of the bottle 27, as shown.

In the modified form shown in Figure 5, the nipple 29 is provided With avented flange 38 which supports a flexible or semi-flexible sealing. or controlling ring 31, the ring 31 overlying the vent 32 to control the opening and closing of the vent, this action being the same as defined above. A cap 33 secures the nipple flange 30 and ring 31 to the neck of the bottle 34 in a manner similar to the previously described forms.

In the modified form shown in Figures 6 and 7, the nipple 35 is provided with a neck 35 and the nipple 35 is also provided with a flange 36, in the upper face of which is formed a circumferential air passageway or circular venting channel 37. This channel 37 completely encircles the flange 36 and communicates with a vent aperture 38, which is formed in the flange 36, as shown in Figure 6. A plurality of such vents may be provided such as the vents 38 38 and 38, if desired. A flexible vent sealing or controlling ring 39 similar to the ring 31 is carried by the flange 36 and overlies the channel 37. The ring 39 may be made of rigid material within the scope of the invention. A cap 40 similar to the cap 18 adjustably secures the ring 39 and flange 36 to the bottle 41. The parts function in a manner similar to the form shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the exception that the channel is carried by the flange of the nipple and not the ring.

In the form shown in Figure 6, the ring 39 is provided with a circumferential flat sealing face and the nipple flange 36 is also provided with a circumferential flat sealing face 36 between the circumferential air passageway or circular venting channel 37 and the neck of the nipple 35 in close proximity to the neck 35 of the nipple 35 to seal the area between the channel and the neck of the nipple with the ring 39. By providing the circular venting channel 37, particularly where one vent aperture 38 is provided in the channel 37, it is not necessary for the bottle to be rotated so as to bring the vent 38 to a position above the pressure area to obtain a proper venting, since the sealing face 36 of the nipple flange may flex away from the overlying ring 39 at any point within the length of the channel 37, to admit air into the channel 37 The air may then travel through the length of the channel to the vent aperture 38 even if the vent aperture 38 is near the bottom of the nipple flange while an infant is nursing. It has been found that unless this circular venting channel is provided, when the vent aperture is at or near the bottom of the nipple flange while an infant is nursing, it is necessary to rotate the nursing unit in the i-nfants month until the vent aperture is at the top of the nipple flange or in a top position. Where no continuous channel is provided the weight of the liquid in the container will hold the nipple flange in a sealed position against the ring 39 and thereby prevent proper venting unless the unit is rotated to a selected position. With this circular channel 37, however, the flange may flex away from the ring 39 at any point and the air may travel throughout the length of the channel 37 to the vent aperture, and it is therefore unnecessary to place the device in any special position to obtain a proper vent even if a plurality of vent apertures are used. By means of the structure shown, only one vent aperture 38 is necessary, and this aperture 38 may be placed at any location within the length of the circular channel 37. When more than one vent aperture is used, it has been found that leakage sometimes occurs through the surplus vent apertures, hence the advantage of thesingle vent aperture 38 which is inset within the circular venting channel 37 as is shown. Furthermore, by having the vent aperture 38 inset within the channel 37*, the flat sealing face 36 engages the under face of the ring 39, thereby preventing the area immediately surrounding the vent aperture 38 from being distorted as the cap 18-is being threaded upon the container. The flat sealing face 36 of the ni ple flange normally contacts the flat sealing face of the ring 39 in sealing relation between the venting channel 37 and the neck 35 of the nipple 35, as is shown in Figure 6. Since the vent aperture 38 is inset. within the venting channel 37, inwardly relative to the sealing face 36, the vent aperture 38 willi be at all times in spaced relation to the ring 36 and therebyprevent the vent aperture 38 from becomingclogged by particles of milk. It will be noted in Figure 6 that the sealing, face 36 is in close proximity to the neck 35 of the nipple 35.

In the form shown in Figures 8 and 9, the nipple 42 is provided witha flange 43 having a plurality of sockets 44 formed in the top face thereof. Vents 45 communicate with the sockets 44 anda vent sealing or controlling ring 46 overlies the sockets 44, as shown.

In Figure 10 there is shown a vent sealing or controlling ring 55, similar to the ring25, having a channel 56 formed in the bottom face and a channel 57 formed in the top face thereof so that the ring 25 may be dropped upon the nipple flange with either face up and properly operate at all times.

Since the aperture 19 of the cap 18 is of greater diameter than the diameter of the bead 12 or of the nipple body, and since the flexible ring and nipple flange extend inwardly of the cap flange 20, the nipple may universally flex with respect to the rigid cap flange 20 to eliminate danger of leakage through the vent of the nipple flange.

It should be noted that the flange of the nipple is provided with a flat sealing face for engaging the ,ring laterally of the vent in the various forms illustrated.

It should be understood. that the integral flexible flange of the nipple constitutes one venting element and the flexible sealing ring fitting against the flange constitutes a second venting element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the venting aperture in one of the venting elements has an open end which communicates with a channel in the other venting element so that one venting element will not fit flat over the open end of the vent aperture. Because of this structure, the outer end of the vent is always free and unobstructed since it communicates only with the channel in the abutting venting element, such as the sealing ring. The flexibility of the flange and the sealing ring and the enlarged aperture, which is of greater diameter than the protruding portion of the neck of the nipple, permits a free universal movement of the nipple within the rigid cap and the sealing ring seals the flange of the nipple adjacent the neck or protruding portion of the nipple to prevent leakage even when the neck of the nipple is subjected to universal movement within the cap.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In combination with a container, a cap adjustably secured to said container, said cap having an annular flange in contact with a sealing ring, said sealing ring having a circumferential flat sealing face, a nipple having a neck and a flexible nipple flange,- said flexible nipple flange having a circumferential flat sealing face in close proximity to said neck of said nipple and releasably abutting said flat sealing face of said ring, said nipple flange having a vent aperture therein adjacent said sealing face of said ring, one end of said aperture being inset relative to said ring, said ring and said nipple flange having a circumferential air passageway therebetween adjacent said sealing faces and communicating with and overlying said vent aperture to convey air throughout the length of said passageway to said vent aperture when the sealing face of said flexible nipple flange flexes away from said sealing face of said ring at any point within the length of said sealing faces adjacent said passageway during the process of nursing.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said cap is provided with an aperture through which the nipple neck extends, said sealing ring being flexible, and wherein said aperture in said cap is of greater size than said neck of said nipple to facilitate universal flexing movement of said nipple neck relative to said cap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,093,130 Kurkjian Sept. 14, 1937 2,544,464 Matthews Mar. 6, 1951 2,688,326 Lerman Sept. 7, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 220,586 Germany Apr. 5, 1910 

